Performance assessment of polyvinyl chloride films plasticized with Citrullus lanatus seed oil based novel plasticizer

Biobased plasticizers for polymers is a necessity to replace conventional phthalates based plasticizers. In the present study, Citrullus lanatusseed oil (ECLO) was epoxidized in a magnetically stirred reactor. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films were synthesized using different concentrations of ECLO. At 40% of ECLO, films showed better surface morphology and exhibited maximum strength and elongation at break. Plasticized PVC film shown tensile strength of 18.6 MPa and elongation at break of 136.18%. No migration was observed in water, designating hydrophobic characteristics of the films. In gasoline, acid (Acetic acid) and alkali (Sodium hydroxide), plasticized samples exhibited a low resistance for migration. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed no change in crystallinity of PVC after addition of ECLO. Thermogravimetric analysis presented the plasticized PVC films are thermally stable. Differential scanning calorimetry established the plasticizing effect of ECLO as a glass transition temperature (Tg) of plasticized films was shifted to a lower temperature.Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed interaction of ECLO with PVC as peaks of C–Cl bond (833 cm−1) and CO stretch (1739 cm−1) were detected. Thus, the present study delivered a better substitute for phthalates as it endorses the application of ECLO in the PVC blend as a plasticizer.